Two Columbia County Sheriff Deputies help save man's life

HUDSON -- Two Columbia County Sheriff Deputies were recognized Saturday for their lifesaving actions.

Police say K9 Deputy Heath Benansky and Deputy Jason Garvey were off-duty eating dinner last Saturday in Chatham when a man started to choke on a hamburger.

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The man’s wife tried the Heimlich maneuver twice but he was still choking and unable to breathe. That’s when the deputies took over and dislodged the food, allowing the man to breathe again.

He didn’t require additional medical attention.

Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett recognized the two deputies at the Zone 14 Police Academy graduation on Saturday at Columbia-Greene Community College. The man and his wife joined them on stage.

“I would like to personally thank Deputies Benansky and Garvey for their quick action attending to the man choking and saving his life,” said Bartlett. “It is an honor to present these Deputies with the Lifesaving Award.”